Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

Introduction

Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie is a delightful twist on the classic Southern dessert, featuring the rich nuttiness of browned butter and a splash of bourbon for added depth. This pie offers a luscious filling with crunchy pecans baked to perfection in a flaky crust, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.

A close-up view of a slice of pecan pie showing three clear layers: a light golden flaky crust at the bottom, a thick, gooey caramel-colored filling in the middle, and a dense layer of shiny toasted pecan halves on top, richly caramelized and slightly glossy. The slice rests on a wooden surface with soft lighting highlighting the textures and depth of the pie. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Step 2: Brown the butter by melting it in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until it turns a rich golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the browned butter, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Add the corn syrup, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the bourbon until evenly incorporated.
  6. Step 6: Arrange the pecan halves evenly in the unbaked pie crust.
  7. Step 7: Pour the filling mixture over the pecans.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. If the crust edges begin to brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
  9. Step 9: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving to allow the filling to set properly.

Tips & Variations

  • Use a glass pie dish to monitor the crust and prevent burning.
  • For a deeper flavor, toast the pecans lightly before arranging them in the crust.
  • Substitute bourbon with dark rum or leave it out for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Storage

Store leftover pie covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or enjoy chilled, depending on your preference.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a slice of pecan pie placed on a wooden surface with a white marbled background. The pie has three visible layers: a flaky light brown crust at the bottom, a thick golden brown filling in the middle, and a top layer covered with whole pecan halves that are toasted and glossy with syrup. The top nuts create a textured, rough appearance contrasting with the smooth middle layer. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

Yes, a store-bought unbaked pie crust works perfectly and saves time without compromising taste.

How do I know when the pie filling is set?

The filling should be mostly firm with a slight jiggle in the center when you gently shake the pie. It will continue to set as it cools.

Print
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Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe


  • Author: Zoe
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Pie is a decadent twist on a classic dessert, featuring the rich flavor of nutty brown butter combined with the warmth of bourbon and the crunch of toasted pecans. With a flaky unbaked pie crust and a silky, caramel-like filling, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions.


Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Filling

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
  2. Brown the Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as the butter cooks until it turns a rich golden brown color and emits a nutty aroma. Immediately remove from heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl to halt cooking.
  3. Mix Sugar and Salt: In a large bowl, combine the browned butter, light brown sugar, and salt, stirring until the mixture is thoroughly mixed.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the light corn syrup, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Whisk everything together until smooth and fully incorporated.
  5. Incorporate Bourbon: Stir in the bourbon evenly to enhance the filling’s depth of flavor.
  6. Prepare the Pie Crust: Arrange the pecan halves evenly over the unbaked 9-inch pie crust, ensuring a uniform layer.
  7. Pour Filling: Carefully pour the prepared filling mixture over the pecans in the pie crust, distributing it evenly.
  8. Bake the Pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust achieves a golden brown color. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.
  9. Cool Before Serving: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This cooling step ensures the filling sets properly for clean slices.

Notes

  • Use a heatproof bowl when transferring browned butter to stop cooking immediately and avoid burning.
  • Cover pie crust edges with foil if they brown too quickly during baking.
  • Allow pie to cool completely before slicing for best texture and filling consistency.
  • Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the traditional pecan pie filling.
  • You can substitute bourbon with whiskey or omit it for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: brown butter pecan pie, bourbon pecan pie, pecan pie recipe, holiday desserts, southern desserts, baked pie, nutty dessert

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